Western cyclone., 1887-08-12
A COSTLY WORK or ART.
Variations in Price of One of NIeissOnier's
Superb Pictures.

wonder if the great Stewart art
gallery is really to be given to the city,
as it ought to be, muses. somebody in
the Washington Post. Some years ago
on the way to Europe. hal for fell
low-passenger A. d. Vorce, a man of
culture whom | had known years be-
fore as a clerk in the treasury depart
ment here. lie had become an art
connoisseur-one Of the most noted buy
erS and sellers Of pictures in New En-
gland.
One day, in an interval of converse
tional vacuity, talk fell on the plumber
of Stewards grave and ended with the
purchase Of Stewards pictures. Lam
history Of that superb picture, Napoleon
Reviewing His Army, in Mrs. Stewards
gallery?"
NO" said, and he ratified on, 10 the
entertainment Of us that rainy day.
French and German artists have, as
a rule, no consciences-no financial
moral sense Of any sort. They do not
scruple TO break their engagements if
they can get more money by doing so.
That painting Of Napoleon's review was
begun q good many years ago for Mr..
PrObascO, of Cincinnati, and was or
dered through Mr. Knoedler, Of New
York. Probasco said to Knoedler: Il
want something good Of DlciSsonier's.
He is rising man, and is going to be q
great painter. | want nothing small OF
commonplace. | want large, historic
picture, on an important theme, rich in
detail, and am willing to pay we'll for
it. Knoedler went TO MeissOnier, who
was then not very widely known, TO Or
der the picture. They agreed upon
10000 as the price of it, and the grand
review of Napoleon /, as tho subject
They also fixed the size, three feet by
four-or whatever it is. 1t was to be
done the next spring. Well, the next
spring Mr.. Knoedler went over to En-
gland to see about it. Not DONE Not
begun. Busy. Hadn't been able to
think about it; and had concluded not
to think about it for less than $20,000
But we agreed on $4,000 Yes, l
know, but it is worth more; $4,000 or
no picture Knoedler telegraphed to
Probasco.
" Yes, yes, pay it and get the pict-
ure.' So $4,000 was agreed on as the
price; the next spring as the time. The
next May Knoedler went across the
ocean. Moissonier had not touched it.
Hadn't had time. Hadn't felt like it.
Couldn't feel like it for less than $685.
600. q, you know yourself couldn't
paint such q picture for $4,000. Do
you say $25,O6OP"
= Really, Mr.. Meissonier, you are
trifing with my principal. He may
think am triillng with him. You do
not keep your promises.
"But there was more telegTaphing to
America, more remonstrances, and the
concession of the extra $4,000. The
picture was to be ready the next spring
to go to Cincinnati.
''The next spring Knoedler went to
Paris again. Melssonier engaged by
telegraph TO meet him, and failed to do
so. Was busy. knoedler called at his
studio. Not there. Finally, failing to
secure audience, called at his home and
Cornercd him. Same old story. Not
done. But we'll begun. Laid out.
Would make a splendid picture-tigures
- composition - spirit - oh, grand,
grand! But he must have $50, 900 for it!
"The same now monotonous negotia-
tions with Cincinnati were gone through
with, and the final result was promise
blythe patient and long-suHering Pro-
basco to pay the $4,000.
1.-The next spring-iet me shorten
this-the cheeky Meissonler, who had
now received special honors in the Sa-
Ion, demanded $4,000! Probasco cot
mad. He told Meissonier to 90 to the ar
tistic heaven of liars and swlndlers-to
get out!-that he wouldn't have one of
bis pictures at any price
$50 the bargain with Cincinnati was
of. Meissonier finished his picture and
' sold it for $50, 600. and it cost Mrs. Stew
wart $4,000 in America. That's the
way with good many continental ar
fists. hear that she has q standing
offer Of $135,000 for it."